Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1903 - 1905

This is Herman Heijermans’ ‘Brief aan Philip Zilcken’, made in 1903, probably with ink on paper. I like how it looks like Heijermans is making something happen here, not just writing a letter. The materiality is everything: the way the ink sits on the page, the small imperfections and the blotchy, uneven texture. The letter has faded and browned with age, creating a sense of history and reminding us of the passage of time. The strokes of the pen create a unique rhythm and texture, and the handwritten signature adds a personal touch, emphasizing the human element in the creation of the artwork. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page. I’m reminded of the collages of Kurt Schwitters, in which everyday ephemera is transformed into art, giving the mundane a new and unexpected significance. Like Schwitters, Heijermans elevates the ordinary, reminding us that art can be found in the most unexpected places.